Halifax Credit Card Helpline NOT 24/7

organic_choc

I have my eyes on a few items that are now on sale. But Halifax credit card would not let me buy them. The merchants send me emails saying that my purchases are refused.

So I call the helpline and after keying in my CC number, my DOB and expiry date. I was met with one message:

THIS OFFICE IS CLOSED FOR PUBLIC HOLIDAY.

Nothing more. Couldn't they at least tell me when they are going to open again? The back of the credit card says that the helpline is open 24/7. I assume that is around the year. What if I am stuck in a foreign country, having had some sort of accidents and in need of extra money now? What if my card is stolen today?

Absolutely hopeless. I am going to have get other cards now just in case.

organic_choc

Just tried my other card's office. Asda Money. They are closed too. At least they didn't say it's open 24/7 so I feel less cheated. Also a recorded message saying that they are closed today and no information on when they are going to be open again.

The good thing though is that they didn't tell me that AFTER asking me to key in like 26 numbers.

chattychappy

Doesn't surprise me. When I'm overseas I often hit these messages because I'm in a different time zone or forget it's a bank holiday in the UK.

Generally you can't rely on anything more than lost/stolen reporting out of office hours. Even where they are supposed to be offering more, I've had all sorts of funnies. Eg phone systems wrongly connecting calls, disconnections, or getting through to staff who listen to your enquiry but then say they'll have to call you back. Even lost or stolen has sometimes not worked.

On rare occasions I do get through middle of the night UK time and get something done even though I might not have expected it.

Pot luck.

If it is fraud/lost/stolen related, I would always note the times of any attempts in case it becomes an issue.

Oh also agree - nothing more infuriating than typing in card details/going through some sort of security only to be connected to a number where you have to do it again or you just get cut off. If you're on a dodgy phone line from abroad it can be pretty difficult to get 16 tones to go through correctly anyway and it isn't always possible to hit a key to get to speak to someone.

stclair

organic_choc wrote: »

I have my eyes on a few items that are now on sale. But Halifax credit card would not let me buy them. The merchants send me emails saying that my purchases are refused.

So I call the helpline and after keying in my CC number, my DOB and expiry date. I was met with one message:

THIS OFFICE IS CLOSED FOR PUBLIC HOLIDAY.

Nothing more. Couldn't they at least tell me when they are going to open again? The back of the credit card says that the helpline is open 24/7. I assume that is around the year. What if I am stuck in a foreign country, having had some sort of accidents and in need of extra money now? What if my card is stolen today?

Absolutely hopeless. I am going to have get other cards now just in case.

First of all the lost and stolen line is open (I have just called it got answered by a human).

I would like to think if you was on holiday aboard, sensible people would take a back up card for these possible eventualities.

reclusive46

It only tends to be the worldwide banks/companies that are open 24/7 truly. Like HSBC, Amex etc.

omiszon1984

stclair wrote: »

First of all the lost and stolen line is open (I have just called it got answered by a human).

I would like to think if you was on holiday aboard, sensible people would take a back up card for these possible eventualities.

Same here. Rang HSBC / Lloydstsb and Barclaycard - Lost and stolen line open and answer by human.
didn't try amex but i would think that they are open too.

If you abroad i would hope you would take at least 2-3 cards + cash.

reclusive46

omiszon1984 wrote: »

Same here. Rang HSBC / Lloydstsb and Barclaycard - Lost and stolen line open and answer by human.
didn't try amex but i would think that they are open too.

If you abroad i would hope you would take at least 2-3 cards + cash.

Amex just send you around the world lol When I've been abroad and called back at odd UK times I've had British (Still normally get them), Aussie, Germans and Americans answer lol All normal CS though and they can do everything.

chattychappy

reclusive46 wrote: »

Amex just send you around the world lol When I've been abroad and called back at odd UK times I've had British (Still normally get them), Aussie, Germans and Americans answer lol All normal CS though and they can do everything.

Well as you know I had a downer on Amex. When I finally decided to cancel my Amex Plat Chargecard it was Sunday. Waited 45mins in the queue and they asked me if I could call back on Monday. Said it all really. I agree they did always answer, though, and sometimes I was diverted around as you say.

organic_choc

stclair wrote: »

First of all the lost and stolen line is open (I have just called it got answered by a human).

I would like to think if you was on holiday aboard, sensible people would take a back up card for these possible eventualities.

Still my main point is that the 24 hour customer services phone line was closed.

meer53

Get yourself a First Direct card for this type of purchase. Open 24 hours a day 365 days a year, answered by humans.

chanz4

it says 24x7, but does it say 365